California law enforcement groups oppose marijuana legalization

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As marijuana legalization campaign is pushing ahead with plans to place the proposal to legalize the recreational drug on Nov. ballot, California’s police and prison guard groups continue to oppose and fight the controversial proposal.

The opposition is coming from a number of law enforcement groups, including the California Police Chiefs Association (CPCA), the Riverside Sheriffs’ Association (RSA), and the California Correctional Supervisor’s Organization (CCSO) and the Los Angeles Police Protective League’s Issues PAC.

The groups argue that they fear the dangers of legalized marijuana for non-selfish reasons. Paul Curry, an activist for the California Correctional Supervisor’s Association, said law enforcement officials don’t want to see a society encouraging use of pot.

Criticizing the pot legalization campaign, Curry said, “The membership of the CCSO opposes the full-blown legalization of marijuana. If marijuana is not a dangerous drug, the federal government would have made a change, but the fact remains that it’s a federal crime.”

Apart from law enforcement groups, the marijuana legalization proposal is being opposed by the California Hospital Association an anti-marijuana advocacy group called Sam Action, which has been co-founded by former Democratic Rep. Patrick Kennedy and former George W. Bush speechwriter David Frum.

California State Attorney General Kamala Harris’ Office has confirmed that subpoenas have been issued to oil refiners as part of its investigation into unusually high gasoline prices in the state during last year.